Title

The web server must not be configured as a proxy server. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

The Apache proxy modules allow the server to act as a proxy (either forward or reverse proxy) of http and other protocols with additional proxy modules loaded. If the Apache installation is not intended to proxy requests to or from another network then the proxy module should not be loaded. Proxy servers can act as an important security control when properly configured, however a secure proxy server is not within the scope of this STIG. A web server should be primarily a web server or a proxy server but not both, for the same reasons that other multi-use servers are not recommended. Scanning for web servers that will also proxy requests is a very common attack, as proxy servers are useful for anonymizing attacks on other servers, or possibly proxying requests into an otherwise protected network.

Check Content

Open the httpd.conf file. Search for the following uncommented LoadModule directive statements: proxy_module, proxy_ajp_module, proxy_balancer_module, proxy_ftp_module, proxy_http_module, or proxy_connect_module. If any of these statements are found uncommented, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Disable all proxy modules by adding a "#" in front of them within the httpd.conf file, and restarting the Apache httpd service.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-36613r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-26299

Group Title: WA00520

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.